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Lower School Division News April 18, 2024

April 18, 2024

from Jennifer Le Varge, Lower School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, April 19: Pairing Assembly, 2:20-3 PM
Friday, April 19: Spring Auction, 6:30-11 PM, Dellwood Golf Club, bid from home >
Wednesday, April 24: HeadSpace “Inspiring Global Responsibility,” 3:15-4:15 PM, Library
Thursday, April 25: LS/US Haiti Cultural Celebration, 1-3 PM, Family Commons, Gallery
Tuesday, April 30: LS Parent Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, Library
Thursday, May 2: Grades 4-8 Family Dinner, 5:15-6 PM, Family Commons
Thursday, May 2: Grades 4-8 Transition Meetings, 6-6:45 PM
Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM, volunteer >
Wednesday, May 15: CHAMP Assembly, 8:15-9 AM, Family Commons
Wednesday, May 15-Friday, May 24: FastBridge Testing (K-4)
Friday, May 24: Senior Walk, 1 PM, MPA Campus
Monday, May 27: No Classes, Memorial Day
Tuesday, May 28: Field Day, 8:30-11 AM, Soccer Fields, South Lawn
Tuesday, June 4: Last Day of School, All School Yearbook Assembly and Signing, 8-10:30 AM
Tuesday, June 4: Early Release, 10:30 AM

We’re feeling spring fever in Lower School! Thank you to all parents who participated in the recent Parents Association Cultural Celebration and to those who continue to contribute to the Lower School duty-free lunches. We so appreciate your support! As we gear up to end the year strong, please review the updates below:

CHAMP News
At our CHAMP assembly on April 17, we focused on the CHAMP attribute of friendly. We enjoyed learning a rap and dance to the song “The Good Friends” by artist Mr. B. Our next CHAMP assembly is May 15, and we will be learning about having self-control. Please send your child(ren) to school on May 15 wearing their CHAMP colors!

Caution: Prime Drink
We have noticed that some students are bringing Prime drinks to school for snack and lunch. Please note that Prime has ingredients that contain tree nuts and is manufactured in a facility where additional nuts are present and processed. Therefore, the Prime drink does not meet our Lower School allergy-aware policy. Please refrain from sending the drink to school with your child.

LS Visiting Author: Yangsook Choi
We had such fun meeting and learning from our visiting author, Yangsook Choi! After flying all the way from Seoul, she led our PreK-grade 2 students in a workshop on writing and illustration, inspired by her book “A Letter to My Friend.” Then, the students in grades 3-4 learned about the artistic process of storytelling inspired by “The Name Jar.” Lastly, 20 budding authors and illustrators from the Lower School got feedback on their work from Yangsook and gave feedback to their peers. The author shared that she was so impressed by our students and teachers at MPA! See all the photos here!

May Sprit Days: Wear Your MPA Gear
On Fridays in May (May 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31) Lower School students are invited to wear their MPA gear (sweatshirt or t-shirt) as their top, with uniform bottoms. Let’s show our Panther pride throughout the month of May!

A Note About What to Wear on CHAMP + Spirit Days
We have received some questions about this, so please note that students are invited to wear their CHAMP shirts (on CHAMP days) and MPA spirit wear (on spirit days) along with uniform bottoms.

A Tremendous Success

April 17, 2024

Last Thursday, the Parents Association hosted Cultural Celebration Day, an evening celebrating the diversity of backgrounds at MPA with food, music, dance and community. Some of the highlights of the event were beautiful dance performances by MPA parents and students, colorfully decorated tables set up by the hosts sharing their culture and cuisine, the ever-popular henna artist, Bilkis and Boba tea vendor, Treats. It was wonderful to experience the energy and engagement from community members. We hope to see you all next year!

A big thank you to all who helped make this event a success:

Cultural Celebration Planning Committe: Fatima Khan, Erika Beernink, Mitun Gupta, Tenia Kalogeropoulou, Reema Anwar, Seema Anwar and senior, Soumya Raman

Cultural booth hosts: Moira Duverneau-Salifu and Ishmael Salifu, Jingtao Wang, Nouf Gazdar, Abdullah Hejazi, Than Zaw, Maw Maw Win, Rudy Karam, Catrin Magnusson, Evelyn Johnson, Maria Jose Johnson, Jessica Blue, Marisue Gleason, Cedar Meem, Kari and Jeffrey Kunze-Hoeg, Samah Fahmy, Mark Segal, Chanda Williams, Tara Lafferty, Mitun Gupta, Srilakshmi Sastry, Fatima Khan, Reema Anwar, Fabiola Grubhofer

MPA Staff: Cherie Honan, Lamar Shingles, Jennifer Le Varge, Natalie Waters Seum and Michael Pappas – Communications, Roy Timm and Tom Connors – Facilities Department, and Chris Pula – Sage Dining Services Read More

Parent Engagement Strengthens Our School Community

April 17, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Spring is a season of renewal, a time when both nature and our school community come alive with energy and activity. At MPA, spring is particularly vibrant, filled with concerts, performances, games, meetings, celebrations, and cherished traditions like the Moving Up Ceremony, the Senior Walk, and the First Grade Poetry Picnic.

As we embark on this busy season, I want to ensure that all parents and guardians are fully informed and engaged. You can expect to receive invitations to a variety of special events and gatherings in the coming weeks. I encourage you to stay connected by regularly reading Panther Post and the division news linked from it and keeping an eye on your email for important updates and announcements. We are committed to communicating with you in a timely and effective manner and we hope that’s helpful—especially during seasons like this.

While I understand that everyone leads busy lives, we believe that parent engagement is vital to the success of our school community. Your participation in events and activities enriches the educational experience for your child and strengthens our overall community. I value your input and involvement and want to make it as easy as possible for you to participate in the ways that work best for you.

Here are a few upcoming events where I hope to see you …

Connect With MPA’s Incoming Middle School Director
I am excited to welcome Paul Errickson, our incoming Middle School director, to MPA May 2-3. Paul will be meeting with teachers, students, and administrators during his visit. Parents are invited to join Paul for coffee on Friday, May 3 at 8:15 AM in the Library. He will also be in attendance at the transition meetings, dinner, and concert the evening of May 2. Read More

Global Responsibility: A Pathway to a Connected Future

April 11, 2024

from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

Over spring break, I traveled to South Korea and China to meet with parents, students, teachers, and educators in both countries. The trip’s purpose was to further enhance our school’s commitment to global responsibility and awareness. I first traveled to South Korea with Cory Becker-Kim, MPA’s international student program coordinator, to establish a stronger presence in the Korean educational marketplace and introduce MPA to interested students and parents. Our goal there was to showcase the unique approach to education that defines MPA: a holistic, experiential, liberal arts education that nurtures the whole child.

In China, I had the privilege of visiting eight schools and one university and met with a number of school leaders and educational officials. Throughout my visit, I enjoyed engaging in profound discussions about the future of education and the importance of global citizenship. I was struck by the genuine interest in our educational approach, particularly our focus on fostering global responsibility and citizenship.

Global responsibility is a key anchor of our school’s mission statement. It is also part of the first priority of 2024ward, our strategic plan: “Empowering students to live, learn, and thrive in today’s complex, global society.” This commitment is rooted in our belief that we must prepare our students for the world that awaits them—a world that demands global thinking, effective communication, and responsible contributions.

MPA Artists Receive 26 MSAA Awards

April 11, 2024

The Art Department is thrilled to share the list of students honored in the 2024 Minnesota Scholastic Art Awards:

Zephyr Bulera ’24, Painting, Honorable Mention, “Ziibi”
Clara Deneault ’25, Drawing, Honorable Mention, “Fragmented Still Life”
Arlo Dickson ’26, Drawing, Honorable Mention, “Kaleidoscope”
Leo Eakin ’24, Drawing, Honorable Mention, “Manhattan Bridge”
Paul Fertig ’25, Painting, Honorable Mention, “Poisoning Mother Nature”
Grace K. ’27, Painting, Gold Key, “Untitled”
Aixa Kellermann ’24, Digital Art, Honorable Mention, “Coyotes Are Invading New York!”
Aixa Kellermann ’24, Drawing, Honorable Mention, “Great Blue Heron”
Aixa Kellermann ’24, Mixed Media, Gold Key, “Watcher”
Nicole Kim ’26, Fashion, Gold Key, “Dress with Red, Blue, and Yellow”
Nicole Kim ’26, Fashion, Silver Key, “The Color of the Earth”
Ash Klann, ’26, Painting, Honorable Mention, “Actuality”
Ash Klann ’26, Painting, Honorable Mention, “Mechanized”
Ellie L. ’27, Drawing, Silver Key, “Shading Practice”
Ellie L. ’27, Drawing, Honorable Mention, “Autumn Feast”
Lilly Liao ’26, Drawing, Silver Key, “Charcoal Drapery”
Elena M-S. ’27, Drawing, Honorable Mention, “Still Life in Yellow”
Elena M-S. ’27, Painting, Silver Key, “Winter Scene”
Elena M-S. ’27, Photography, Gold Key, “Anni”
Lia Sonka ’24, Ceramics, Honorable Mention, “Lotus and Lily”
Lia Sonka ’24, Ceramics, Silver Key, “Cacti”
Lia Sonka ’24, Painting, Honorable Mention, “Wildflowers on Repeat”
Yuhan Zou ’25, Drawing, Silver Key, “Duomo di Milano”
Yuhan Zou ’25, Painting, Honorable Mention, “White Bird”
Yuhan Zou ’25, Painting, Honorable Mention, “Pieta”
Yuhan Zou ’25, Painting, Honorable Mention, “Breathe”

The Scholastic Art Awards is a highly competitive, nationally recognized competition for students ages 13-18. Gold Key awards will go on to competition at the national level.
The list of awards represents a variety of mediums, styles, and techniques, as well as countless hours of work over the course of years of skill development. We are so proud of the accomplishments of these artists! See an album of their award-winning work here.

Speech Team Wins Section Title To Return To State

April 10, 2024

After winning the Minnesota State High School League’s Class A title last year, the Mounds Park Academy speech team put itself in a position to repeat by taking the Section 4A title on Saturday at St. Croix Lutheran Academy, sealing another berth to state for the Panthers. Eight students won their respective events, helping key the trip back to the state tournament, which will be held on Friday, April 19, at Shakopee High School. Congratulations to the following students for taking the top spots to punch their tickets to state:

Paul Fertig ’25 – Extemporaneous Speaking
Akshay Somayajula ’24 – Great Speeches
Guy Schwieger ‘26 – Humorous Interpretation
Zainab Lodhi ’25 – Informative Speaking
Ash Klann ‘26 – Original Oratory
Annika Binstadt ’25 – Poetry Reading
Andrea Pugh ’26 – Prose Reading
Maggie Banks ‘24 Storytelling

Sean Holland ‘25, Amila Avdic ‘27, Amal Sastry ‘25, Mari Minear ‘25, Mina Kim ‘26, Nico Bergh ‘27, Rowan Mulrooney ‘25, Oslo Norcross ‘27, Zoya Nayak ‘25, Nabila Artan ‘26, Lucy Mayer ‘27, Pahwa Yang ‘24, and Greta Hanson ’24 will join the eight, having all placed in the top three in their fields to represent MPA at the state competition. Just missing out on state berths had Jake Wyant ‘27, Warner Reid ’26, Sidd Sastry ‘27, Victoria Lin ‘27, and Soumya Raman ‘24, who all still earned placements during the section tournament.

Following the state tournament, some action still remains for the Panthers on deck. In May, the team will travel to Nebraska to compete at the NIETOC National Tournament. Those participants had to qualify throughout the season and include the following:

Maggie Banks, Nico Bergh, Kelvyn Boddipalli, Paul Fertig, Greta Hanson, Mina Kim, Ash Klann, Hannabella Li, Zainab Lodhi, Mari Minear, Rowan Mulrooney, Zoya Nayak, Oslo Norcross, Andrea Pugh, Amal Sastry, Sidd Sastry, Guy Schwieger, Akshay Somayajula and Pahwa Yang.

MPA Sailing: All Are Welcome, Grades 7-12!

April 4, 2024

Interested in giving the sport a try? The team is welcoming friends of any team member to come out and see what sailing is all about on April 9.

The MPA Sailing team sails out of White Bear Sailing School with and against teams from White Bear Lake, Mahtomedi High School, Stillwater High School, Saint Croix Prep, Mounds View High School, Hill Murray, and Totino-Grace, gaining crucial communication skills and cooperation on the water.

The White Bear Sailing School features three MPA alums in prominent roles as Toby Sullivan ’19 is the waterfront director, Josh Sullivan ’16 is head coach, and Henry Seum ’23 is a summer coach.

Cultural Celebration Day Is A Week Away!

April 4, 2024

Are you ready for Cultural Celebration Day at MPA? The celebration, which will be held on April 11, from 3-6 PM in the Family Commons, is just a week away! Organized by the MPA Parents Association, the night will feature many of the different backgrounds at our school.

Cultural Celebration Day will entail sweet and savory street food from around the world, including a boba tea bar hosted by Treats, a cereal bar and Boba shop based out of St. Paul. In addition to the food from different cultures, the event aims to teach the steps to Sirtaki, a Greek folk dance, and feature a Kathak dance workshop, a classical Indian dance form, presented by the Katha Dance Theater. Other offerings include going home with some cool body art from an expert henna artist, trying your hand at global crafts such as Greek laurel wreath making or Rangoli, and learning how to use chopsticks. Speaking to community members with booths set up to share their culture and or offer samples of their cuisine is strongly encouraged! Food and drink tickets ($1 each) will be sold at the event. Zabiha, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available.

Looking to help out at Cultural Celebration Day? Sign up to volunteer! Please email sanwarPA@moundsparkacademy.org with any questions regarding Cultural Celebration Day at MPA!

Upper School Division News April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024

from Mark Segal, Upper School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, April 5: US End Of Quarter 3
Monday, April 9: US/LS Solar Eclipse Party, 8-10:30 AM, Family Commons
Tuesday, April 9: HeadSpace “Mental Health Crisis,” 3-15-4:15 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Wednesday, April 10: No Classes, Eid al-Fitr
Thursday, April 11: PA Cultural Celebration Day, 3-6 PM, Family Commons
Friday, April 12: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151
Thursday, April 18: Senior Performances 8-9:15 AM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, April 18: Spring Book Club With Dr. Hudson, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Friday, April 19: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151
Friday, April 19: Pairing Assembly, 2:20-3 PM
Friday, April 19: Spring Auction, 6:30-11 PM, Dellwood Golf Club
Wednesday, April 24: Spring Musical Preview Performance, 1:35-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, April 25: LS/US Haiti Cultural Celebration, 1-3 PM, Family Commons, Gallery
Friday, April 26: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151
Friday, April 26: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center
Saturday, April 27: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center
Sunday, April 28: Spring Musical Performance, 2-4 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, May 2: MS/US Grade 8 Parent Meeting, 6-6:45 PM, Recital Hall
Friday, May 3: US Parent Quarterly Coffee, 8-9 AM, PCR
Friday, May 3: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151
Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM, MPA Campus
Saturday, May 4: Prom, 8-11 PM, American Swedish Institute
Wednesday, May 8: MS/US Orchestra Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
Friday, May 10: US BIPOC Affinity Group Meeting, 11:20-12 PM, Room 150-151

Important Informantion

If your student will be absent, late, or needs to be excused early from school, please reach out to the Upper School office via cwilliams@moundsparkacademy.org.
Space is still available to attend the 2024 MPA Spring Auction, Together We Can Move Mountains, on Friday, April 19 at Dellwood Golf Club. This is your chance to attend a night of fun, inspiration, and community building while supporting MPA with fellow parents, alumni, and friends.
While the MN weather remains unpredictable, the spring athletic season has arrived. Even though the athletic department works hard to stick to the established schedule, practice and game schedules can be extremely fluid due to the weather. For this reason, it is suggested that you bookmark the MPA athletics website and ensure that the athletic department has the most up-to-date email addresses for you should there be a schedule adjustment.

For many years, I heard the statement, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” and I really did not know its meaning. Maybe it was because I was too literal or because my focus during my formative years was primarily on anything but work. Regardless, over the past 33 years of my professional life, 28 of them as an educator, I have learned that taking a break from doing schoolwork is crucial for maintaining mental health and achieving academic success. The American Psychological Association states that “constant studying (or grading) without breaks can lead to burnout, decreased motivation, and increased stress levels.” This research highlights the importance of taking regular breaks and confirms data published by the Journal of Educational Psychology that states, “Students who take short breaks during study sessions demonstrate improved focus and retention compared to those who study continuously.”

School (and work) has become more demanding in recent years, and finding intentional ways to step away from assignments and projects provides an opportunity for students to recharge and rejuvenate their minds. Psychologists, including Dr. Jules Nolan, emphasize the importance of incorporating relaxation techniques into student study routines. By stepping away from schoolwork periodically, students are then able to return with a refreshed perspective and greatly increased productivity.

It is critical to prioritize self-care in our student’s study routines as it is our job and duty to support them so they are successful and feel good about themselves. Your students and I appreciate your commitment and partnership as they make their way along their educational journey.

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Middle School Division News April 4, 2024

April 4, 2024

from Dr. Jenn Milam, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars

Friday, April 5: MS End Of Quarter 3
Tuesday, April 9: HeadSpace “Mental Health Crisis,” 3-15-4:15 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Wednesday, April 10: No Classes, Eid al-Fitr, Panther Care >
Thursday, April 11: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Thursday, April 11: PA Cultural Celebration Day, 3-6 PM, Family Commons
Wednesday, April 17: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Thursday, April 18: Spring Book Club With Dr. Hudson, 6-7:30 PM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Friday, April 19: Spring Auction, 6:30-11 PM, Dellwood Golf Club
Wednesday, April 24: Spring Musical Preview Performance, 1:35-3 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, April 25: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Friday, April 26: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center
Saturday, April 27: Spring Musical Performance, 7-9 PM, Nicholson Center
Sunday, April 28: Spring Musical Performance, 2-4 PM, Nicholson Center
Wednesday, May 1: MS Grade 7/8 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:20-3 PM, Panther Center
Thursday, May 2: Middle School family dinner, 5 PM, Family Commons
Thursday, May 2: MS/US Grade 8 Parent Meeting, 6-6:45 PM, Recital Hall
Thursday, May 2: MS Transition Meetings, 6-6:45 PM
Thursday, May 2: MS Vocal Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
Friday, May 3: New Family Panther Party, 4-5:30 PM, MPA Campus
Monday, May 6-10: MS Grade 5 Service Trip
Wednesday, May 8: MS Parent Quarterly Coffee, 8-9:30 AM, Martin Lenz Harrison Library
Wednesday, May 8: MS/US Orchestra Concert, 7-8 PM, Nicholson Center
Thursday, May 9: MS Grade 5/6 BIPOC Affinity Group, 2:30-3 PM, Panther Center

I hope this issue of Middle School news and notes finds you all having had a wonderful spring break and looking forward to what is always a very busy and exciting spring at MPA. As always, if you have questions about what is shared here, reach out to the Middle School office.

PLEASE JOIN US! 2024 MPA Spring Auction on April 19
This year’s MPA Spring Auction: Together, We Can Move Mountains program is scheduled for Friday, April 19, at Dellwood Golf Club. The annual event is a signature community gathering to share your love of MPA and share your support for our continued forward momentum!

SPRING SPORTS – Calendars, Cancellations, and Coordinating Schedules!
While it may not feel like it this week with our recent snowfall, spring sports seasons are upon us, and schedules can be very fluid, depending on the weather. Please know that we, along with the athletic department, do our best to avoid last-minute cancellations of games and practices, but sometimes they cannot be avoided. Please bookmark the MPA athletics website on your phone and check the weekly athletic schedule regularly to plan and organize your family activities. Additionally, please ensure that Dawn Zimmerman has your most current contact information to be in touch as needed. You can reach her at dzimmerman@moundsparkacademy.org.

NO SCHOOL – Wednesday, April 10
On Wednesday of next week, we will observe Eid Al-Fitr and there will be no classes. Please plan accordingly as you look toward your family calendars for next week! Panther Care >

The FINAL QUARTER and TRANSITION MEETINGS
This Friday will be the last day of quarter three, and I encourage you to connect with your student to ensure that all assignments and assessments have been completed. Given that we have only had two weeks post-spring break, and we did most of our “catch up” prior to i-Term, it is my hope your student is feeling confident they are ending on a strong note.

The last quarter of the year begins on Monday, April 8. It can be challenging to maintain focus, engagement, and stamina at this time of year. Please take some time to visit with your Middle School student to check in, set expectations, and get excited about the next year ahead.

Please mark your calendars now for Thursday, May 2, for our Rising Grade Level meetings and Middle School Vocal Concert. This is an exciting evening when we share a meal, offer insight for you and your student about next year, our new schedule, class trips, and more. Our evening will begin with dinner at 5 PM, transition meetings at 6 PM, and then our concert at 7 PM. We hope you’ll join us for all (or part!) of our evening.

NOTE: Rising Upper School students will meet with Mr. Segal and Mr. Dean, Upper School director and assistant director, respectively. It’s another great opportunity to learn what’s ahead!